| The Passat has seen a wide range of engines placed | | | | lack of low-rpm grunt of previous turbos. |
| under its hood, including diesels, tiny fuel-sipping four | | | | Combined, they make the case for engines that |
| cylinders, V6's, and at one point the massive W8. | | | | increase performance using technology, not |
| However, if you go into an American dealer today, you | | | | displacement. |
| will only see one engine choice for the 2010 model: a | | | | The 2010 Passat has an EPA estimated 22 mpg city |
| 2.5l four-cylinder turbo. | | | | and 31 mpg highway, which is about the same as a |
| VW is joining Ford and Hyundai in an effort to replace | | | | 4-cylinder Honda Accord. It also produces 200 |
| the V6s commonly offered as an option in mid-sized | | | | horsepower, which isn't much more than the Accord |
| cars with a turbo-4. This regained interest is due to a | | | | EX's 190hp. The big difference is torque: 207 ft-lbs, |
| combination of political, market, and technological | | | | available from 1800 RPM to 5000 RPM. This gives the |
| factors: | | | | car a much more relaxed feel, with power available at |
| CAFE standards, the "fleet average" gas mileage | | | | any RPM, making it less like VW's previous turbos and |
| average that a company must maintain to avoid fines, | | | | more like a high performance diesel. |
| are going to increase in the upcoming years. | | | | How fast is it? The VR6 is still available in the CC, an |
| Buyers are becoming more interested in fuel economy, | | | | upmarket coupe-styled four-door based on the Passat. |
| especially now that we are in a recession. | | | | Surprisingly, when equipped with the same transmission |
| Improved engine management and direct injection | | | | the boost in power makes it only three tenths of a |
| technology (what Volkswagen calls "fuel straight | | | | second faster than the turbo-4 from 0-60. Even with a |
| injection") allow automakers to manufacture | | | | less sporting setup, the Passat manages 0-60 in 7.4 |
| turbocharged engines that are as reliable as regular | | | | seconds, almost a second faster than most competing |
| engines, while also delivering power without the lag and | | | | non-turbo cars. |